I started out in the 1940s, singing around the clubs of Cleveland, Ohio, where I grew up. There was a woman in showbusiness, a contortion dancer called Estelle 'Caldonia' Young - she was named after the song Caledonia Caledonia. Jimmy Scott More Quotes by Jimmy Scott More Quotes From Jimmy Scott I grew to see my affliction as my gift. When I sang, I soared. I could soar higher than all those hurts aimed at my heart. All I needed was the courage to be me. Jimmy Scott hurt heart inspirational There were times, I could say, later in the career, that I wished that my voice would be deeper for materials that I might've wanted to select to do. But that's the style of my voice. There's nothing I can do about the heighth of my voice. And so I learned to deal with it. Jimmy Scott style voice careers There were times, I could say, later in the career, that I wished that my voice would be deeper for materials that I might've wanted to select to do. But that's the style of my voice. There's nothing I can do about the height of my voice. And so I learned to deal with it. Jimmy Scott nothing style i-can voice I project stronger. If you notice the old records - they're much lighter - vocally much lighter in sound than the records that I'm doing today. Jimmy Scott doing you stronger today I've had statements made - 'Who in the heck wants to hear a 60-year-old singer?' That statement was made - it's disheartening, you know, because you say, 'Well, hey, why should a guy feel like that about it?' Jimmy Scott say feel know you I've learned that music is such a healer. Jimmy Scott learned healer music As long as I could sing my songs, I wasn't as angry about what had happened, about being shoved back for this or shoved back for the other. Jimmy Scott back being angry long I'm a singer, and I never lost sight of that. Jimmy Scott singer never sight lost There's times, in certain songs, that I might be in my own world, and who cares about who's out there, you know? You have a job to do, so you do that job of singing that song or telling that story because that's what you're doing. Jimmy Scott you singing song world If you're singing, you're telling a story. So to tell it and tell it right, that's it. Jimmy Scott story tell you singing As a singer, I've been criticized for sounding feminine. They say I don't belong in any category, male or female, pop or jazz. But early on, I saw my suffering as my salvation. Jimmy Scott they-say singer say suffering All I needed was the courage to be me. That courage took a lifetime to develop. Jimmy Scott me needed lifetime courage Jeanie McCarthy is the love of my life. She's the only woman who really understands me, my music, and my heart. It took me a long time to find my soul mate, but thank God I found her before I moved to the other side of time. Jimmy Scott music god love life I love show business. It's my life, honey, and I try to enjoy it. Jimmy Scott my-life business love life When the gig ain't there, you still got to pay the rent. I learned that a long time ago. Jimmy Scott you long-time time long In show business, generally you don't retire. If you love it, that is, you're in it forever anyway. Jimmy Scott you business forever love I decided to sing again after settling in Newark in 1982. I had a burning desire to sing and lots of encouragement from my new wife, Earlene. Jimmy Scott new wife encouragement desire I was living in New York. Sometimes, our gang of musicians would go to Louis Armstrong's home and play records. It was a lesson, like going to school at night. Ella Fitzgerald was an inspiration, too, a unique artist. When you had an opportunity to be with people like them, you cherished it. Jimmy Scott you home opportunity people I'm a cereal lover. I could eat it in the morning, in the evening, and at night - I love Cheerios. Jimmy Scott evening morning love night My pug dog, Princess , is something else; she's my baby. I've had her for about 14 and a half years. They usually don't live any longer than 15, but I don't believe that. As long as you treat them right, they will live a long time. Jimmy Scott you dog time long
